Books for Senior Thesis and Research Help

Badke, W. (2008). Research strategies: Finding your way through the information fog. New York: iUniverse, Inc. [University Library Reserves - Z 710 B34X 2008]
The primary focus of this text is use of library resources. Badke explains the place of books, catalogs, and other library tools and resources in students’ research activities. He presents a model for research, with a brief explanation of the structure of research questions and thesis statements. Two substantial chapters detail the use of key words and controlled vocabularies.

Booth, W., Colomb, G., & Williams, J. (2008). The craft of research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. [University Library Reference: Q 180.55 M4 B66 2008]
This text aims to meet needs of all researchers, from undergraduates to advanced graduate students and those in the business world; the book retains value for scholarship beyond undergraduate years. Clear examples show paths from early identification of research interests to formulating broad research topics and developing focused questions that help define the problem to be addressed. The authors explain steps in developing arguments, explaining claims, evidence, and warrants as building blocks in crafting effective arguments. Concrete examples of writing tasks are provided. A chapter on the visual communication of data shows examples of simple charts, tables, and supporting evidence. The text concludes with a substantive appendix of reference sources in multiple disciplines, a good starting point for background information and identification of valuable library resources.

Craswell, G. & Poore, M. Writing for academic success. London: SAGE [University Library - LB 2369 C73X 2012]
See these second edition sections for writing assistance: logically structuring and linking paragraphs through sound structure; building, developing, and strengthening arguments; writing business, experimental, technical, and other types of reports; managing the development and writing of your thesis; mastering the delivery of presentations; and considerations for professional publication.

Fowler, A. (2006). How to write. New York: Oxford University Press. [University Library - PE 1408 F548 2006]
This text is helpful to inspire confidence in those who may find writing difficult. Although practical sections show options and suggestions for quoting, punctuation, and more, it is not a quick look up guide that provides correct and incorrect answers for elements of writing. Instead, the philosophies contained within are helpful in understanding the writing process and developing a sense of style.

Ng, Pedro Pak-tao. (2003). Effective writing: A guide for social science students. Hong Kong: The Chinese University Press. [University Library - PE 1479 S62 N48X 2003]
This book aims to guide students in effectively acquiring effective writing skills. A detailed Table of Contents provides good access to content. Numerous examples illustrate good practices in organizing material, citing sources, writing report findings, and revising. Rules of grammar and word selection guidelines are helpful for students who need additional assistance in those areas. Although titled for social science student audiences, this work is applicable to any student working on a research paper although the examples are drawn from the social sciences. Style guides referenced are from the American Psychological (APA) and the American Sociological associations (ASA). Particularly helpful and unique is the appendix of over 100 pages of assistance for the selection of words and phrases.

Russey, W., Ebel, H., & Bliefert, C. (2006). How to write a successful science thesis: The concise guide for students. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. [University Library - LB 2369 R87X 2006]
This text, clearly targeted to students in the sciences, begins with a description of the laboratory notebook and use of it to plan research activities for a thesis. Numerous examples provide guides for laboratory notebook content, structure, and management. Part II details components of theses. Examples related to the Table of Contents, introductory sections, the abstract, defining the problem, results, discussion, and the experimental section provide models for organizing these components. Special considerations for science theses include the proper use of numbers, units, mathematical expressions and equations, tables, and figures.

Thomas, R. M. & Brubaker, D. (2008). Theses and dissertations: A guide to planning, research, and writing. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. [University Library - LB 2369 T458X 2008]
Detailed lists of research projects, survey topics, and research methods highlight options that support the example projects presented in this text with advantages and limitations specific to options presented. Procedures, resources, purposes, and definitions of research methods are particularly valuable to readers who are comparing the fit of one research method over another. Data gathering techniques and instruments provide practical recommendations for data collection and presentation of data.

Walliman, N. (2011). Your research project: A step-by-step guide for the first-time researcher. London: Sage Publications. [University Library - LB 2369 W26 2005]
As stated in the title, this text walks the reader through the process of planning, conceptually envisioning, and managing a research project. Written for students in the social sciences, business, environmental studies, and humanities, it is both practical and offers a theoretical basis as it sets specific objectives for each chapter and provides exercises to further illustrate specific points. This text prepares students for the decisions required in the execution of a research project.

Note: Edition designations are omitted in this list due to frequent changes. As of the Web page maintenance date, the dates of these works are the most recent dates available in the University Libraries. Submit recommendations for additions to this list.